Veronica's Week 11 Post

On page 235 of our course pack, I found great information that explained a Critical Literacy. It states that critical literacies "involve people using language to exercise power, to enhance everyday life in schools and communities, and to question practices of privilege and injustice". Within the two pages of our course pack, there are numerous examples that teachers can authentically use a critical literacy within their lessons. As I read the pages, I first thought of my class lesson on discussion. For my lesson, I read the book tittled The Story of Ruby Bridges (picture book), I also used the book Through My Eyes (autobiography) to add a real-life event connection from the picture book to the autobiography. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, Ruby Bridges was among one of the first African American students in Louisiana to attend a desegregated school. For our discussion, students were able to make text to self connections about challenges and difficulties they have experienced in their lives as did Ruby Bridges. During the school year, students in my field placement are learning 10 characteristic traits. For my lesson, students wrote a letter to Ruby Bridges about a time they had perseverance like her.

I think many grade levels can benefit from having centers used in their classrooms. This can be done not only for Literacy but for other subjects such as Math as the article suggested, and for Science and Social Studies as well. It is important to make center activities hands-on to provide students with opportunities for meaningful active involvment and not busy work. Activities should meet the needs and abilities of students within the classroom. To have centers, it must take a significant amount of planning from teachers and also maintain classroom norms for students to stay on task.